Chemical forensics is the science of attributing chemical samples to sources by analyzing their content of specific compounds or establishing links between samples based on similarities in their chemical profiles. It has become important as a tool for the attribution of alleged use of chemical warfare agents, providing important data needed to link separate chemical attacks or determine how specific CWA samples were produced.
In this study, researchers aim to develop a sensitive analytical methodology based on high-resolution mass spectrometry to allow extraction of chemical attribution signatures (CAS) suitable for discriminating between sulfur mustard synthesis routes. A general nontargeted data processing method was used to enable efficient processing of large data matrices and thereby improve CAS detection.
Route Determination of Sulfur Mustard Using Nontargeted Chemical Attribution Signature Screening. Analytical Chemistry, 12 March 2021.